Chapter 14 — How Could Annette Do That to Him?

"I told you already!" Annette snarled, yanking her hand free. "I'm married. Keep your hands off me, or don't blame me for what comes next."

Divorce or not, Gregory was the last man on earth she'd consider. And no matter her feelings toward Stuart, she wouldn't disgrace herself by getting tangled up with another man while still legally married.

Gregory gawked at her. Hadn't she once clung to him like a lifeline?

He lunged forward, grasping for her wrist again.

This time, Annette moved faster.

She seized his arm, pivoted, and slammed him over her shoulder in one fluid motion. Gregory hit the ground hard, his breath knocked out, eyes bulging as pain shot through his ribs.

Charlotte stood frozen, mouth agape.

She'd come expecting to catch Annette in some sordid tryst—only to witness her toss a full-grown man like a sack of potatoes.

Annette spared Charlotte a cool glance, then turned and strode away without a word.

Back at the ward, dusk had fallen. Stuart still slept, sedated and peaceful.

Annette sat quietly for a moment, her stomach grumbling. She hadn't eaten since midday.

Grabbing some ration tickets, she headed to the canteen and returned with two coarse millet buns and a scoop of salty shredded pickles.

She tore one bun in half, stuffed it with pickles, and ate slowly, sipping hot water between bites. It wasn't exactly delicious, but her hunger made everything taste better.

From the bed, Stuart stirred—trapped in a dream where bloodied comrades called him "Captain" one moment, and lay dying the next.

He jolted awake.

Blinking against the dim yellow light, he turned toward a faint rustle—and saw Annette, crouched by the cabinet, delicately biting into her humble dinner.

Soft lamplight haloed her profile, her shadow etched against the wall like a silent painting.

Something in his chest loosened.

This... was not the Annette he remembered.

She swallowed the last bite and smiled at him. "You're awake? Doctor says you can't eat just yet, but you can have water. Want some?"

He hadn't noticed his thirst until now. He shifted, trying to sit up.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" Annette rushed over and pushed him gently back. "Doctor said no moving, especially not with your stitches."

Stuart flushed. He couldn't exactly admit he needed the bathroom.

But she saw it anyway, and grinned.

"Need to pee? Just lie down—I'll bring the chamber pot."

"No—I can do it myself—" he muttered, mortified.

"Oh hush," she said, exasperated. "You want to tear your wound? Stay still."

With that, she fetched the pot, pulled back the blanket, and unceremoniously reached for his waistband.

Stuart gasped. The anesthesia hadn't fully worn off; his muscles wouldn't obey. He squeezed his eyes shut and let her help.

Annette, meanwhile, was dying of embarrassment.

She was a doctor—touching a body meant nothing. But this wasn't just a patient.

This was her "husband."

Her face flamed as she carried the pot to the toilet, scrubbing her hands afterward like a madwoman. What had gotten into her? Thinking impure thoughts about a man while emptying his bladder?

Back in the room, the silence was thick with awkwardness.

Finally, Stuart asked, "Did you go home?"

"Not yet," she replied. "I'll wait until you're better."

He nodded.

She tried to make conversation. "Doctor says once you pass gas, you can eat. Got anything you're craving?"

He shook his head.

Annette sighed. "Alright, I'll make chicken soup."

She hadn't expected her archery and hunting skills from her past life to be this handy here.

By the time she curled up on the other cot, she was out like a light.

But Stuart couldn't sleep. His mind wandered... until dawn.

Annette rose with the first hint of light. Ducks would be easiest to catch at dawn or dusk.

She slipped out quietly, making her way to the river.

The flock was right where she'd seen them. She fitted a stone into her homemade slingshot.

One clean shot. A duck dropped, flapping helplessly.

Without hesitation, she waded into the icy water and grabbed it.

Unbeknownst to her, a man had been watching nearby the entire time…